Vol. 52, No. 24, June 16, 1961. 4 pages. View this issue
Wartime planning for the forced removal of Japanese Americans from the West Coast ran through this four-page issue. Part 3 of “Command Decision: Evacuation” looked at General DeWitt, the Roberts Commission report, the FBI’s role and pressure from Congress. The U.S. Court of Claims awarded $27,001.49 to Mary Taki Sonoda, the first ruling under the Japanese American Evacuation Claims Act of 1948. Another front-page story reported that a California fair housing bill died in a Senate committee. In his column, Joe Nishioka wrote about naturalization rights and the coming Intermountain District Council convention.
Other pages follow JACL chapters at work. The Chicago JACL Credit Union reached one million dollars in loans, Kango Kunitsugu announced a run for the Los Angeles City Council, and the New York chapter named four new directors, reported by Bill Hosokawa. Pocatello prepared to host the convention in August. Tamotsu Murayama profiled a Nisei who succeeded in Japan.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- By the Board, by Joe Nishioka, JACL Chairman, page 1. The column discusses progress in naturalization rights for Asian immigrants and the upcoming Intermountain District Council convention. It urges members to participate so the JACL can continue its work.
- Open letter to prospective and current members, by New York JACL, page 2. The New York JACL chapter explains its reasons for continuing to seek members and advocates for the organization’s role in defending Japanese Americans. It urges readers to join and support the group’s work.
- Nisei Week queen contest: Geraldine Uyemi, page 4. Geraldine Uyemi entered the 1961 Nisei Week queen contest sponsored by the Southwest Los Angeles JACL. The queen will be judged at a public dinner in August.
National
- Fair housing bill turned down by California Senate committee, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A California Assembly-passed fair housing bill was rejected by the Senate Governmental Efficiency Committee, effectively killing it for a year. The bill would have empowered the State Fair Employment Practices Commission to enforce anti-discrimination rules in housing.
Incarceration & Redress
- Command Decision: Evacuation, Part 3, page 1. This installment examines the wartime planning by General DeWitt and officials to remove Japanese Americans from the West Coast. It details the Roberts Commission report, the FBI’s role, and congressional pressure leading to evacuation.
- U.S. Court of Claims awards $27,000 in first evacuee case, page 1. The U.S. Court of Claims awarded $27,001.49 to Mary Taki Sonoda, whose father was interned after Pearl Harbor and whose farms were lost. The ruling was the first under the Japanese American Evacuation Claims Act of 1948.
Community
- 1 millionth dollar loan marked by JACL credit union, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Chicago JACL Credit Union marked its one millionth dollar in loans after 18 years of service. The credit union has grown to about 400 members with assets exceeding $217,000.
- Kunitsugu confirms candidacy for L.A. city council vacancy, page 1. Kango Kunitsugu formally announced his candidacy for the Los Angeles City Council seat in the 10th District left vacant by Charley Navarro. He stated that his community involvement qualifies him for public office.
- Caesar Uyesaka, active JACLer, named city ‘father of the year’, page 2. Caesar Uyesaka of Santa Barbara was named Father of the Year for his leadership in Boys Club, Scouting, church, and business. His children have also distinguished themselves academically and in community service.
- Stockton Sansei decks four-year naval ROTC scholarship to Univ. of Illinois, page 2. Ronald Baba of Stockton received a four-year naval ROTC scholarship to the University of Illinois. He was a school band member and a student honored in state music competitions.
- Hilo in comeback after wave disaster, page 3. A year after a tidal wave caused by the Chilean earthquake devastated Hilo, the city is rebuilding with urban renewal projects. Efforts to restore homes and businesses continue.
- New York chapter names four new board directors, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Four new directors were elected to the New York JACL board at a June 1 meeting. They join four incumbents on the board.
- Pocatello JACLers prepare for IDC convention, page 4. The Pocatello JACL is hosting the Intermountain District Council convention in August to mark the district’s twentieth anniversary. Committees have been organized for the various events and activities.
- Sequoia JACL plans busy June schedule, page 4. The Sequoia JACL has a series of dances, a graduation event, and a community picnic planned for June. The chapter is also preparing for upcoming social activities.
Military & Veterans
- JACL objects to proposed rules of Equal Employment Opportunity, page 1. JACL commended the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity but objected to broad exemptions for national-interest contracts and small transactions. The organization argued these exemptions could enable continued discrimination.
Arts & Entertainment
- Nisei with perfect command of Japanese and English succeeds in Japan, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. A Nisei who speaks fluent Japanese and English has built a successful career in Japan. The article profiles his work and experiences there.
Obituaries
- Hawaiian Nisei recognized for scholarship, page 4. A Nisei student received a Whitney Foundation grant recognizing academic achievement. The award supports continued study.
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